The foremost playwright of his generation; also a noted critic of the arts, socialist and member of the Fabian Society. Shaw's influence was felt widely in politics and society. During his early career he wrote important musical and dramatic criticism, introduced the British public to the work of Ibsen and wrote some of his best plays. Successful seasons at the Royal Court Theatre from 1904 to 1907 established his reputation, and many of his plays, notably 'Major Barbara' in 1905 and 'Pygmalion' in 1914, later achieved popularity as films. He was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1925.